Championship preview | Sky Sports | Football | News

Leaders Queens Park Rangers get the Championship programme up and running on Friday night and a huge local derby wraps up the weekend.

There are also some big games at the bottom end of the table as the Championship's 24 clubs play for the second time this week.

The action gets under way at the Madejski Stadium when in-formReadingentertain travel sick table-toppersQPR, live onSky Sports 1&HD1.

On Saturday, late goal specialistsNorwich Citywill be looking to cement second place with a trip toBurnley, who lost under Eddie Howe for the first time in midweek.

Nottingham Forest'srise up the table shows no signs of slowing down and Billy Davies' side will be aiming to put their imperious home form to good use against seventh-placedWatford.

Leeds Unitedcame from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Hull City on Tuesday and will be keen to remain in the promotion hunt with victory at home toCoventry City.

Crystal Palaceclimbed out of the relegation zone in midweek and manager Dougie Freedman is now targeting his first win whenMiddlesbroughvisit Selhurst Park.

Strugglers

Micky Adams is another new boss yet to pick up a first three points andSheffield United, having dropped into the bottom three, travel toIpswich Town.

Preston North Endare also yet to win under Phil Brown and the Championship's bottom club are at home to fellow strugglersBristol City.

Scunthorpe Unitedare the other team residing in the drop zone and Ian Baraclough's men have a derby date at home toHull City.

Leicester Cityare trying to build a push for the play-offs and Sven Goran Eriksson's side are at home toBarnsley.

Millwallare one place above Leicester after an excellent first half to the season and welcomeDoncaster Roversto The Den.

PortsmouthandDerby Countyare both stuck in the bottom half of the table and will be hoping to make upwards progress when they meet at Fratton Park.

The weekend is rounded off with a mouth-watering derby clash at the Liberty Stadium when third-placedSwansea Cityentertain fifth-placedCardiff City.

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